Five more killed, including a child, in tragic landslides in Bangladesh
Dhaka, July 9
Continuous torrential rains have triggered devastating landslides in Bangladesh, claiming the lives of five more people, including a child and two married couples. The tragic incidents occurred in separate landslides late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning at Mission Para in the Aziznagar union of the Lama upazila under hilly Bandarban district.
Amid the monsoon rains and floods, in the hilly areas of southern Bangladesh, the total number of deaths over the past four days has reached 27 due to landslides.
According to local and Fire Service sources, the first landslide struck Mission Para around 3:00 AM on Wednesday night. Three members of the same family were buried alive under the mud. The deceased have been identified as Md. Yunus (28), son of the late Adam Ali; his wife, Ranu Akhter (22); and their four-year-old son, Md. Soleman. The incident came to light around 4:00 AM, after which local residents and Fire Service personnel launched a rescue operation to recover the bodies.
Barely an hour and a half later, around 5:30 AM, a second landslide hit the exact same area. The collapsing hillside crushed the wall of a single-story brick house. Trapped under the heavy debris and mud, Md. Jewel (34) and his wife, Kulsuma Akhter (25), died on the spot. While originally hailing from Rampura in Chittagong's Halishahar, the couple had been residing in Mission Para as tenants.
Confirming the tragedy, Mobarak Hossain Mohoram, Chairman of the Aziznagar Union Parishad (UP), stated that he rushed to the spot immediately upon hearing the news at 4:00 AM and coordinated the recovery efforts alongside the Fire Service and locals.
Lama Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Kayzar Hamid confirmed that three members of one family and two of another lost their lives. The bodies have been handed over to their respective families following the completion of the inquest report.
Expressing deep grief over the incident, Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Moin Uddin said, "The loss of five lives in these landslides is incredibly tragic. To prevent such disasters and protect lives, the administration is continuously conducting loudspeaker campaigns (miking), urging everyone living dangerously at the foothills to relocate to safer ground."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Such a tragedy. 27 lives lost in just 4 days! The poor are always the ones who suffer – they have no choice but to live in these dangerous areas because they can't afford safer land. The administration should have evacuated these zones weeks ago when heavy rain warnings were issued. 🙏
These are the consequences of climate change and deforestation in the hill tracts. We've seen similar landslides in Kerala and Uttarakhand. The Bangladesh government should learn from India's disaster management systems – better early warning mechanisms and strict building bylaws in hill areas. Prayers for the departed souls. 🕯️
Absolutely devastating. A 4-year-old child, a young couple just trying to make a living as tenants... life is so fragile. The local administration's relief efforts are commendable, but why wasn't this area declared unsafe before? This pattern repeats every monsoon across South Asia. We need long-term solutions, not just after-tragedy reactions.
While the loss of life is tragic, I must respectfully point out that people continue to build homes at the base of steep hills despite repeated warnings. The government can only do so much – citizens also have a responsibility to move to safer areas when authorities clearly ask them to. Still, my deepest condolences to the families. A difficult situation all around.
This is so sad. I saw similar scenes in Chittagong last year. The hills are literally collapsing due to illegal quarrying and deforestation. The government must crack down on these activities. Also, where will these poor families go? They need affordable land and housing. Just telling them to move without providing alternatives is not a
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